Nope, I’m not joking…
I am going to be squad leading World Race: Gap Year for 9 months!!!
What is World Race: Gap Year?
Gap Year is like the race as we will be traveling to Central America, Asia, and Africa to partner with and serve established ministries around the world. Just like on the race, ministry can look all kinds of ways depending on the country we are in. Also, like the race, we will have a squad of around 40-50 people.
It differs from the race in the fact that we will be staying 3 months in each location instead of just one. This opens the door for deeper relationships to be established with the people, an opportunity to really dive into the culture, and more time for the Lord to work in and through us in each place.
The other way it is different from the race is the age group. Gap Year is designed for 18-22 year old students. That is the age when we are generally trying to figure out who we are and what our purpose is in this world; what better way to do that then running fully after the Father?!
(K Squad at training camp in July 2012)
What does a Squad Leader do?
This time, in addition to working with the pastors and missionaries in every country, I will be working with the racers as well. The race takes people on this amazing journey around the world, but it also takes them on a spiritual journey. People are confronted with their personal short comings as well as with the short comings of the world. Living in community all day every day while serving others and sharing Jesus is NOT an easy thing to do which is why I will be there to help, serve, encourage, guide, and strengthen the racers during that process.
(House visits in Kenya; Holding baby boy Morgan.)
When do you leave?
As most of you know, I just finished my Field Leadership Training at Adventures in Missions. This summer, I got offered an opportunity to serve in the World Race Department doing Passport (college-age trips) Field Support. I get to mentor teams as they serve in various countries around the world this summer. It is going to be a blast and challenging at times too. I am so excited to get to be a part of their journey and I know the Lord will use it to prepare me for Squad Leading even more.
After I am finished with Field Support this summer, I will be preparing to live out of a backpack…again. Gap Year will launch in September and I will be gone until May 2015. I will not be going back to Texas between now and then. However, I am accepting visitors in Georgia!
What do you need?
You all have been so good to me these past 2 years. This would NOT be possible without you and I am continuously humbled when I think about all the love and support that I have been flooded with. I could use prayers for myself as I prepare to lead and prayers for my squad as they prepare to go. I would love to talk to as many people as I can before I leave again, so feel free to call me while I still have a phone state-side!
Finally, the part you probably suspected was coming, I need financial support. I have been serving in missions for 2 years now and it has been purely by the Lord’s goodness and your love for Him that I have been able to eat every day! Like I said, I am humbled by God’s provision through each of you and I am so blessed by it.
My greatest need right now is personal money. I need money to buy equipment before I go and I will need money for food/toiletries/misc. expenses for the 9 months I am on the field.
My goal is $1,500. Way less than the $15,500 I raised the first time!
You can donate through my PayPal account by clicking the button below.
For those of you, who are currently supporting me on monthly bases in my AIM account, please continue to give to that. I do have to fund raise for the trip and your support is what is making it possible on that end!
Thank you all so much!
It’s going to be wild, great, and full of Jesus!
